New Eats in Pacific Beach

When you visit Pacific Beach and stay at its premier boutique hotel, the Ocean Park Inn, you’ll be confronted with almost too many options for great restaurants in the area. While there are old standards that we’ll always recommend, there are also tons of new places to grab a bite during your San Diegan adventure! Check out some options below:

Fat Sals:

Holy sandwich, Fat Sals will give you one food coma you’ll never forget, and we’re not messing around. This New Jersey inspired, gluttonous deli was the creation of actor Jerry Ferrara, famous for playing Turtle on HBO’s Entourage. Jerry and his two childhood friends, Josh and Sal, wanted to bring the mouth-watering East Coast grub to the young West Coast neighborhood of Pacific Beach.

Since it’s opening in December 2012, flocks of PB natives have lined up, waiting to get their next “Fat Jerry” (cheesesteak, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, bacon, fried eggs, fries, mayo, ketchup, salt & pepper) or “Fat Joey” (pastrami, turkey, melted swiss, cole slaw, fries, Russian dressing). Don’t even get us started on their shakes. Check out the menu at

“(The Patio is) not a raucous sports bar, not a locals’ dive bar, not a hipster beach bar, but a bar for the more distinguished folk of Pacific Beach with an appetite for something more upscale – something with class, if you will,” (sandiegoville.com).

Unlike most surrounding restaurants, The Patio is dog friendly. Diners are encouraged to bring their pooch onto the outdoor patio and order Fido a homemade doggie biscuit. The Patio also features “Dawg Grog,” the only dog-friendly, non-alcoholic beer!

Who doesn’t enjoy an ice cream sandwich on a hot summer day? The Baked Bear, PB’s newest addition, has taken the neighborhood by storm with its handcrafted, delectable frozen treats. With 12 premium ice cream flavors and 8 different cookies to choose from, customers can custom-build the ice cream sandwich of their choice. For less than $3, you’ve got a drool-worthy concoction any child would be envious of. Add an extra $1, and replace your cookie(s) with a waffle or Ghiradellibrownie. Ice cream sandwiches not your thing? No problem! The Baked Bear also offers root beer floats, ice cream sundaes, chocolate dipped bananas, and even coffee floats! Located just 2 blocks from Ocean Park Inn, The Baked Bear is open daily until 11pm. For more information about The Baked Bear, visit http://thebakedbear.com/

California Kebab & Beer Garden:

This restaurant has quickly grown into a local favorite. Located just one block from the beach (and 3 blocks from Ocean Park Inn), California Kebab provides a laid-back atmosphere ideal for watching the sunset while you sip on a homebrewed beer.

With Mediterranean inspired dishes like lamb skewers, falafel sandwiches, and veggie rice bowls, California Kebab holds a reputation for serving some of the healthier options in Pacific Beach. The “Bounty” salad, a personal favorite, includes a variety of seasonal vegetables from San Diego local farms.

The specials at California Kebab are endless. From 3 – 6pm on Monday through Friday, select draft beers are half off. On Tuesdays, get any pitcher for $10 and kebab tacos for $3, with flavor options of falafel, lamb or chicken. On Wednesdays, enjoy “Stein Night” and get a 32 oz. stein of German beer for only $5! Thursdays, come over for “Koozin’ for a Brews’n” and get $4 pints all night with the purchase of an Amplified Aleworks (California Kebab’s in-house brewpub) Koozie. Bring the Koozie back for another Thursday, and you’ll still receive the $4 pint special. On Sunday’s, enjoy a savory brunch of 4 slices of smoked bacon, rosemary fingerling potatoes, smoked cheddar cheesy egg scramble, french toast with pomegranate sangria syrup and a beer flight for only $20!